Pallet racks, staging, shelving and skid racks



Oct. 2, 1956 D. WEINBAUM 2,765,087

PALLET RACKS, STAGING, smawmc AND SKID RACKS Filed May 27, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 Fig./ 22

Dave L .We/hbaum INVENTOR.

Oct. 2. 1956 D. L. WEINBAUM 2,765,087

PALLET RACKS, STAGING, SHELVING AND SKID RACKS Filed May 27, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.4

Do In? L'. Wei/2 baum IN V EN TOR.

PALLET RACKS, STAGING, SHELVING AND SKID RACKS Dave L. Weinbaum, West Harfl'ord, Conn.

Application May 27, 1954, Serial No. 432,788

3 Claims. (Cl. 211-148) This invention relates in general to improvements in rack construction, and more specifically to an improved rack construction of the knockdown type.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved rack construction which may be formed with a plurality of identical standards and a plurality of identical frames or shelves, the frames being easily interlocked with the standards and themselves to form a relatively rigid structural unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved structural connection between frame members and a standard, the structural connection including connectors carried by the frame members interlockable with each other to form a sleeve receivable over a standard so that the frame members may be secured both to each other and to the standard.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved connector frame member, the connector being of such av nature whereby a first one of the connectors may be disposed in a vertical position and a second one of the connectors may be disposed in an inverted vertical position and the two interlocked would form a sleeve, the connectors being retained in interlocked relation by gravity.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved knockdown rack structure of the type which may be easily stored and at the same time easily assembled, the knockdown rack structure requiring only two different types of members, a standard and a frame or shelf.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary top plan view of apallet rack formed in accordance with this invention and shows the general relationship of adjacent frames or shelves with respect to each other and with respect to supporting standards;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the pallet rack of Figure 1 and shows the manner in which frames are supported by the standards in vertical spaced relation; 7

Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken through the frames adjacent a pair of standards and shows further the details of the frame construction and the relationship thereof with respect to each other and the standards;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of opposed ends of frames showing the same in an initial step of being connected together and to a supporting standard;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view similar to Figure 4 and shows the connectors of the frames in an intermediate stage of being connected together;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view ice similar to Figures 4 and 5 and show the connectors in their finally locked stage and the relationship thereof with respect to the supporting standards; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one corner of a frame and shows the general details of a connector carried by the frame member thereof.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a pallet rack construction which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The pallet rack construction 10 includes a plurality of rectangularly arranged standards 12. Ex-

tending between each four standards 12 and supported thereby is a shelf or frame which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 14. I

Each of the standards 12 is preferably formed of tubular stock for lightness and is square in cross-section. Carried by each of the standards 12 at desired vertical spaced intervals are collars 16.

Each of the pallets or frames 14 includes a pair of transversely spaced, elongated longitudinally extending frame members 18. The frame members 18 are connected together adjacent their ends by transverse frame members 20. In order that the standards 12 and the frames 14 may be easily mass produced, it is preferred that the stock utilized forming the standards 12 and the frame members 18 and 26 be identical. However, if it is so desired, different stock may be utilized for forming the frame members 18 and 20.

In order that the frames 14 may be easily secured to each other and at the same time supported by the stand-.

ards 12, each end of each frame member 18 is provided with a connector which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 22. The connectors 22 are interlocked to form a sleeve surrounding an intermediate portion of one of the standards 12 with the sleeves resting upon a respective one of the collars 16. It is to be understood that the frames 14 are identical and that adjacent frames must be inverted relative to each other so as to permit the interlocking of their respective opposed connectors 22.

Referring now to Figure 7 in particular, it will be seen that each of the connectors 22 includes a pair of vertically disposed flanges 24 and 26 which are integrally connected along opposed vertical edges thereof so thatthe flanges 24 and 26 diverge outwardly from their associated frame member 18.

The flange 24 is provided in an upper horizontal edge thereof with a recess 28 whose open end is wider than its inner end. The recess28 opens upwardly and forms an upwardly projecting finger 30 which decreases in width upwardly.

Opening through a vertical edge of the flange 24 remote,

cates with a downwardly directed recess 34 which is identical in configuration with recess 28. The recess 34 in combination with the recess 32 forms an upwardly directed finger 36 which is identical with the finger 30.

The flange 26 is identical with the flange 24 in configuration with the exception that the flange 26 is a right hand flange whereas the flange 24 is a left hand flange. Therefore, description of the particular arrangement of recesses and fingers of the flange 26 is believed to be unnecessary.

When it is desired to connect a pair of frame members 18 to one of the standards 12, the connector 22 of one of the frame members 18 is abutted against the standard 12 with the standard 12 being partially received therein. The connector 22 is so positioned so as to rest upon the collar 16 of the standard 12, as is best illustrated in Figure 4. Next, the other frame member 18 and its connector 22 are inverted relative to the first 3 named" member 18. and its. connector 22. The second connector 22 is moved towards abutting engagement with the standard 12 and slightly vertically offset relation with respect to the first connector. 22 so that the fingers 30 ofnthe secondiconnector 22,.may pass into-the recesses 32.

f the first. connector 22 simultaneous with the passing of the fingers of the first connector 22 into the recesses 32'. of the second connector. 22.

When the. connectors 22 of the two. frame members 18 are so positioned, the second frame member. 18- and its associated connector 22 are continued to be moved towards the standard. 12. and downwardly, This results in.the. initial interlocking of the fingers 30 and 36-01? the respective connectors 22..as,is best illustrated in Figure. 5. At. this time the second connector 22, is in abuttingengagement. with. the standard 12.

After. the; second. connector 22. has moved into abutting engagement with the standard 12, it is then moved downwardly untilsuch,tim.e as it seats on the collar 16'.

Atthis-time, the fingers 30 and 36 of the connectors- 22 become in full interlocked engagement, as is best illustrated in Figure 6. The two connectors 22 then form a sleeve which completely surrounds the standard 12 and which rests upon the collar 16 to support the two frame members 18.

While the above description of the connection of the frame members 18 to a standard 12 applies only in opposed pairs of frame members 18, it is to be understood. that when one of the pallets of the frames 14 is secured to another one of the pallets of frame 14 and'to a pair of standards 12, the same procedure is followed simultaneously with two sets of connectors 22.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been illustrated and'described a novel pallet rack which is so constructedwhereby only two different structural units are required, the pallets of frames 14 and the standard 12. Further, no separate fasteners are required to interlock the pallets of frames 14 with the standards 12' and adjacent pallets of frames 14. Also, the frames 14' and the standards 12 are generally planar'and therefore may be easily stored.

If is to be understood that two frames 14 tare not required'in order that a frame may be secured to a standaid 12: If desired, it is necessary only to provide a connector 22 for each isolated end of a frame 14 to forirra standard receiving sleeve. Such a connection is obviously required at the ends of a rack construction; This also permits adjacent frames 14* of a rack tobe at different levels.

Although the frames 14 have been described as beingidentical, itis to be realized that if it is desired; the frame 14- may vary the structural arrangement of their respective frame members depending upon their intended use. Also, the standards 12 may be of any desired lengths and the number of vertically spaced frames 14 may be varied to meet the particular need; Further,

although the standards have been illustrated as being tubular and square in cross section, it is to be understood that they may be circular, in: the form of equal leg H- beams,.or other similar shapes.

From the foregoing, the construction andoperation ofthe deviceiwill'be readily understood and further. explanation is believed to be unnecessary; However, since numerous modifications. andchanges will readily occurrtoi those:.sl illed. in. the art, itis not desiredlto: limit the;

invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications. and. equiva: lents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A rack construction comprising at least a pair of standards, a pair of identical frames, connectors carried by opposed corners of said frames, opposed connectors being interlocked and forming vertically disposed sleeves, said sleeves receiving said standards, collars on said standards engaging said sleeves to limit downward movement of said sleeves, eachof said connectors being formed of a pair of vertical. flanges joined together in angular relation, said flanges diverging away from their respective frame, said' flanges being of similar configuration with one being left and the other right, each of said flanges including a horizontal edge and a vertical edge, recesses formed in said horizontal edge and said vertical edge to form projecting fingers received. in the-recesses of an opposed flange of an opposed connector.

2. A rack construction comprising at least a. pair of.

frame, said flanges being of. similar configuration with one being left and the other right, each of. said flanges.

including ahorizontaledge. and a vertical edge, recesses,

formed in said horizontal edge and said vertical edgeto form projecting fingers received in the recesses of an. opposed flange of an opposed connector, said fingers being identical and projecting in the same general direc: tion as said recesses open.

3. A structural connection comprising a standard having a collar carried thereby, a pair of opposed horizontally disposedframe members, opposed connectors carried by. opposed ends of said frame members, said connectors being interlocked to form a sleeve, said sleeve surroundingsaid' standard. and resting on said collar, said connectors being identical and onev of said connectors being inserted relative to the other, each of said connectors being formed of-a pair of vertical flanges joined together. in angular relation, said flanges diverging away from. their respective frame, said flanges being of. similar configuration-With one being left and the other right, each of said flanges including a horizontal'edge and a vertical edge, recesses formed in said horizontal edge and said vertical edge to form projecting fingers received inthe recesses of an opposed flange of an opposed connector.

References Cited inthe file of this'patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,473,817 Gorsline Nov. 13, 1923 1,915,023 Lizaso et a1 June 20., 1933 1,981,938 Anderson Nov. 27, 1934 2,001,215 Ruppel May 14, 1935 2,226,763 Geib et al. Dec..31, 1940 2,455,682 Kern Dec. 7, 1948. 2,500,636. Isakso-n -Mar. 14, 1950 2,583,368. French Jan. 22,, 1952. 

